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Facebook gives clues to missing Mount Vernon teen's whereabouts

Police hope electronic surveillance of the world's most popular social network could help bring home a missing 15-year-old autistic teenager. Activity on a Facebook account used by Jonathan Bryant, who was reported missing early Friday morning and lives in Mount Vernon, indicates he could be in the borough of Queens, authorities said.

Activity on a Facebook account used by Jonathan Bryant, who was reported missing early Friday morning and lives in Mount Vernon, indicates he could be in Queens, authorities said.

"We have no reason to believe he left Queens," Mount Vernon police Captain Edward Adinaro said Tuesday.

Bryant is considered highly functional and has been reported missing several times in the past. He was last seen Thursday afternoon in the area of Vernon Avenue in Mount Vernon. He was wearing a white "Cozumel" T-shirt white shorts and red and black sneakers.

The 15-year-old may also be wearing a black bracelet with the inscription "Haiti" as well as a black string necklace with a shark tooth, according to Shari Harris, special assistant to the mayor. He is not on medication.

While police are not certain it's been Bryant checking Facebook, they have electronic information indicating he may have been in Long Island City, Queens within the last 24 hours, Adinaro and a city official said.

That neighborhood has been flooded with fliers, and Mount Vernon detectives also went there. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is assisting with the search and New York City police officers have been alerted.

Mount Vernon cops have also followed up on possible sightings in the city and Manhattan, Adinaro said. Both didn't pan out. In the past, Bryant has been located in the Bronx and Times Square. He has an attraction to trains and subways and has been known to ride them when he has gone missing in the past.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Mount Vernon Police Department at 914-665-2500 or the Detective Division at 914-665-2510.